Chapter 7
Their first “official” date was this evening to a small posh restaurant Draco knew of, and he was definitely one hundred percent not nervous. Not a bit. Of course… fuck he was nervous enough he was constantly switching up how he should wear his hair, his new standard, the tousuled look or his slicked down hair.
He felt the wards alert him, guess it's tousled he thought as Harry apparated into his entryway like he has done so many times already but Draco thrummed with a whole different energy than what he had for when Harry usually came over.
“I'll be out in a minute!” Draco straightened his collar and looked in the mirror, and walked out of his bedroom to the living room that Harry was most likely waiting in.
As he walked in and caught a glimpse of the the other man he stopped fucking Merlins beard he cleans up good. Harry sat there, dark maroon button up and black dress pants, what looked like dragonhide boots. “Oh Draco! Wow.. you look amazing” Harry breathed out, eyeing the other. Draco shifted, dressed similarly, but in a white shirt and similar dress pants, his shoes being regular dress shoes. “Speak for yourself Harry - you're hot” Draco smirked “gotta say. You clean up well. I don't remember if you were dressed this well when we met up at that muggle club but damn”
“I mean. I had to impress you somehow you know, don't want you thinking I only wear my robes” Harry said standing up.
“Hm well. I guess this is a good enough outfit” Draco miffed with a grin. “Merlin I can’t believe that would have been a serious thing i would have said when we were younger” He rolled his eyes “anyways lets get going, i am starving”
~~
“So what is this place? It's obviously Muggle from the part of London we're in.. And that we seem to be in for a trek.”
“Brilliant observation Harry” Draco replied dryly. “It is an ‘authentic Italian’ restaurant that I found. Apparently the way to tell if it's going to be good is if you can hear the cooks screaming at each other in Italian in the back” They crossed the street as Draco could see it drawing near.
“That. that might be the most muggle thing I’ve ever heard you say” Harry laughed as they reached the door, the sounds of busy muggle London fading as they entered. It was… a very quaint place. Slightly dim, music playing, the artwork depicting open fields and renaissance paintings. “Hello! Table for two?” the woman asked from behind the register “yes please”
She led Draco and Harry to a small corner table and handed them their menus. “Is there anything I can start you off with?” Draco glanced at the wine selection “Could we get two glasses of Dolcetto please?” “Of course!” and she was off.
“Dolcetto?” Harry questioned. “Yeah it's a really fruity wine. I think you’ll like it” Draco glanced over to him. “I mean. It just seems like a thing you’ll enjoy. If not, can we get some of what is it called? Oh! Grape soda” he said as he continued to look through the menu ignoring how Harry stared at him “I literally cannot tell if you're being serious or not.”
“Harry. I know what soda is. I wasnt that sheltered.” he deadpanned, but his eyes were sparkling. “After… everything I went on my own, and I spend a lot of time in muggle spaces now. I even managed to make my own friends” he laughed “you know, it’s nice having friends who see me as a normal bloke. No knowing the Malfoy name or knowing my history. Just know me as Draco.”
Their wine arrived, and with the arrival they ordered their meals and she disappeared again. “Where was I, oh yeah. Honestly, it’s quite nice.” He took a sip of his drink “what about you?” Do you spend your time in wizard or muggle areas?”
Harry sat, thinking for a moment. “I think wizard for me, but that's also because I only go to a few places, mostly because friends work there or just go there themselves.” Harry ran a hand through his hair. “Ok, curiosity has been killing me. You're a potions master, you have your own shop. Why don’t you work at St. Mungos or as an Auror? You’re definitely smart enough. And I know the hospital sent you offers.” He watched Draco, waiting on an answer. “Well.. I. I just really wanted to prove I could. That I could be like any other wizard and strike out on my own after the war. I knew some things were off limits, but as I kept at it and proved myself with my work.. It was an amazing feeling. I know it shows that I haven't matured much-” Harry cut him off “yes it does? Striving to do what you want on your own is one hundred percent a sign of maturity.” Draco sighed, looking to see if the waitress was anywhere near delivering their food “I mean I see your point. It’s just hard to see that for myself. Hard to think I can do it, even though I’ve been doing it for the past five years.” Harry nodded, reaching to touch Draco’s hand “and I for one think you're doing a damn good job.” he paused before adding “but you don’t need anyone's approval or kudos to know that. Your work and your shop speak that for you”
A light blush dusted Draco’s face “I.. Thank you.”
Just then the nice waitress arrived with their meals. “Here you fellas go! Do you want refills on the wine or anything else to drink?”
Harry's eyes twinkled mischievously “actually yes please. Could I have a grape soda?” Across from him Draco groaned, muttering “unrefined brute.” as the waitress lightly laughed “coming right up!”
They wasted no time digging in to their meals with Harry breaking the silence first “this is the best. That settles it. You plan dates from here on out.”
“Gladly”
As the night progressed and they finished their meals and dessert Draco flagged the waitress down asking for the bill, and she retired giving it to him. “You know,” Draco drawled “ever heard the joke about how when to people of the same sex go out to dinner, the waitress gives the bill to who they think the top is?”
“Too bad she's wrong then, huh?” Harry murmured out lowly, catching Draco’s eye.
Draco fought a shiver as he pulled out some muggle paper money and placed it in the billfold. “I do believe we have an entire evening to spend how we want do we not?”
The two men stood and headed out the door, giving thanks to the waitress.
They walked down the street, illuminated by muggle cars and light signs with Draco reaching out to hold the other’s hand, Harry squeezing in affirmation. “Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to be a muggle?”
“That was never really a choice, so no. Honestly I knew nothing about muggles until hogwarts really. Kinda explains why i was so willing to spit my venom to people” he looked around “but looking at it now, their world is just as beautiful as ours.”
“Yeah. Growing up in both was.. An experience. I can tell you that much.” Harry smiled. “It wasn't the best. Obviously. But it helped make me who I am… “family” aside. Hell. Muggle London at Christmas time is a sight to behold. It rivals Hogwarts in its beauty. I ought to show you this winter” He coughed “I mean. If you want to of course”
“Oh i’m sure I will”
And they stepped into the alleyway to apparate back to Draco’s home.